Many homebuyers shopping for newly-built homes tend to mistakenly think that a new construction is, by rule, more energy efficient than an old house. That can be a costly mistake because, while many builders have some training in green building procedures and are following some green building guidelines, many have yet to jump on the green certification bandwagon.
There is a lot that goes into building a truly energy-efficient home. Small, overlooked details like gaps in the building envelope left by wiring, plumbing and HVAC ducts, or the wrong choice of insulation material for different areas of the house, can amount to a lot of sources for significant energy waste.
Here's a video, by Dr. Energy Saver, showing some of the many things that can go wrong in new construction and contribute to big energy losses.
To make matters more complicated, new homes are being built bigger and with certain architectural features such as bay windows, cantilevers, cathedral ceilings, skylights, and multilevel attics and roofs, that are often overlooked in terms of air sealing and insulation, creating even more opportunities for energy loss.
Why is Home Energy Efficiency so Important?
The green home concept has now transcended the tree hugger sphere, to become a mainstream topic for many reasons that go beyond the scope of the environmental impact of our energy production methods and consumption patterns. Many people are becoming more and more concerned about soaring energy prices, and government push towards U.S. independence on foreign oil and non-renewable energy sources.
Having an energy-efficient home is sure the right and responsible thing to do because of all of the above reasons and most everyone “gets it,” but what does it have to do with your family’s daily life and routine? Why should you go through the trouble of demanding an energy-certified home right now? Let’s do the math.
Studies show that the typical home in America consumes two to three times more energy than it would need if all the systems in the house were working at top efficiency. That means that you are paying two to three times more than you should for your energy bills!
Bigger homes and more square footage mean more opportunities to waste energy… you get the picture. You might end up spending a lot of money just to keep your new, energy-hogging home comfortable, on top of what you are already paying for the mortgage.
In other words, if the new home is not green certified, you might be better off purchasing an old home using a green mortgage to perform all the necessary energy efficiency upgrades.
Green Mortgages and Green Certifications.
A green mortgage allows you to add the cost of an energy-efficient retrofit to your regular mortgage. Green mortgages require a little more paperwork, but might be worth the effort if, at the end, you will have a home that is healthier, more comfortable and more affordable to own.
Lenders will typically require a report signed by a certified energy conservation specialist after performing a full home energy audit, as well as a plan of action, listing all the energy-saving improvements and upgrades you plan to implement and the expected savings.
There are many green certification programs out there, some at state level. Credible green certification can be obtained for new and retrofitted homes through three main nationwide programs:
ENERGY STAR
This is a joint program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy that evaluates and certifies not only buildings, but also appliances, electronics, and building items. If you are shopping for a newly-constructed home, it is a good idea to start looking at a list of builders specialized in ENERGY STAR-rated construction, provided in the website.
NAHB
The National Association of Home Builders launched its National Green Building Program in 2008 and certifies builders that meet a certain number of points based on a scoring system that awards points for water, energy and resource efficiency; lot and site development; indoor environmental quality; global impact and homeowner education.
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1998. LEED-certified buildings are highly regarded in real estate as this comprehensive rating system evaluates several aspects of the construction, with focus on six main areas: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process.
Green Homes and Real Estate
Green-certified homes are an excellent investment, whether you plan to stay in the house for many years, enjoying the extra comfort and affordable living, or sell it a few years down the road. A recent study conducted in California shows that LEED or Greenpoint Rated (California State’s own green certification program) properties sell for an average of 9 percent more, compared to similar homes without any certification.
According to the study, average sales price of a non-certified home in California is $400,000, while certified green homes usually sell for at least $34,800 more. That increase in sale price is higher than the cost of the green features implemented in these homes – which usually include air sealing, home insulation and high efficiency HVAC systems – none of which are particularly expensive.
Many real estate agents across the nation, tuned into recent changes in home buying patterns, are now jumping into this trend and educating themselves to better serve a growing number of green homebuyers. Seller agents are also encouraging home sellers to increase the appeal of their existing homes with energy-efficient home improvements rather than just cosmetic upgrades.
A green home is comfortable, affordable to own and maintain, and it is a great investment in your future and the future of your community, country and planet! Are you a home buyer looking for one? Are you a Real Estate agent who has experience working with green-certified homes? I would love to hear about your experiences in the green home market!
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